Packaging container

ABSTRACT

A fitted body comprises a cap  20  made of a rubber elastic material and a body  10  made of a rubber elastic material, and at least the body  20  or the body  10  expands or contracts in accordance with volumetric expansion or volumetric contraction of an article received in a container  1.  The container  1  is arranged so as to enable the takeout of the article without any leakage of the article to the outside in a state where the container is restored to an original shape. In the body  10,  a thin-film skin  12  is disposed in its bottom to expand and contract. A flange  18  having a notch  19  is disposed near an open end of the body  10.  Cord-like projections  17  are disposed in a circumferential direction of a sidewall  11  near the skin  12.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a packaging container. Specifically,the invention relates to a packaging container wherein even when a shapeof a received article left under a high-temperature environment isdeformed due to its melting, the article is restored to its originalshape if it is placed again under a proper temperature, and the articlecan be taken out in the original shape, and more particularly to acontainer suited to packaging of material products such as suppositoriesused as medicines, cosmetics and foodstuffs repeatedlyliquefied/solidified by a temperature change.

BACKGROUND ART

A suppository is prepared by forming a drug (medial agent) which is amain drug into a given shape by a base, and it is a solid medicineadministered to a rectum, a urethra, a vagina or the like. Thesuppository is softened or melted at a body temperature, or melted in amucilaginous liquid. Then, a drug is absorbed through a mucosa into abody.

To prepare a suppository, normally, an oily base, an aqueous base or theother proper material is used as a base, drugs are uniformly mixeddirectly or by adding an additive such as an emulsifying agent or asuspending agent as occasion demands, these drugs are molded, sealed inor wrapped in proper skins, and formed into proper shapes. Regardingshapes, usually rectal suppositories are conical or spindle-shaped,vaginal suppositories are globular or oval, and urethral suppositoriesare long axis.

The suppositories obtained by the molding are wrapped one by one in,e.g., an aluminum foil, or each fills a packaging container made of hardplastic such as polyethylene or polypropylene to be packaged therein.Additionally, there is a case in which molding and packaging aresimultaneously carried out, e.g., a melted base fills a packagingcontainer made of hard plastic, and the base is cooled to be solidifiedin the container.

In use, the suppository is preferably stored at a room temperature or ina cold place to keep its shape. At a general household or at the time ofbeing carried, however, the suppository is sometimes stored at a bodytemperature or more, causing melting of a part or all parts of thesuppository.

However, in the conventional packaging form, e.g., in the case ofpackaging in an aluminum foil, there is a problem that the meltedsuppository composition may leak to the outside, not only losing a valueas a medicine but also staining the surroundings. Additionally, not onlyin the case of the packaging in the aluminum foil but also in the caseof using the packaging container made of hard plastic, the suppositoryonce melted might not return to its initial shape of the filling andpackaging, and cannot be used as originally intended because of theshape change. The hard plastic packaging container is normallyconstituted by welding two plastic pieces together. Consequently, whenthe melted suppository composition oozes to the welded portion to besolidified again, swells (so-called flashes) or the like are generated.Besides, when the welding is bad, the melted composition might ooze tothis portion to cause a great change in the weight of the suppositoryitself. When the suppository is completely melted, the container itselfmight be broken because its volume increases by 1.1 to 1.2 times.

Furthermore, in the conventional packaging form, it is necessary to takeout the suppository from the container or the aluminum package byfingers at the time of insertion into the anus or the like, and todirectly hold the suppository by the fingers. Consequently, there is aproblem that a smooth and glistening feeling at the time of holding bythe fingers will make insertion difficult and holding by fingers isunsanitary.

The invention has been made with the aforementioned conventionalproblems in mind, and it is an object of the invention to provide apackaging container wherein even when a part or all parts of an articlesimilar to a suppository in the container melts as a result of storageunder a relatively high temperature, the article is subsequently placedunder a temperature to be restored to an original shape, and thus thearticle can be taken out in a shape of a reception time, and thesuppository can be inserted sanitarily without being held by fingers.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A packaging container of the present invention comprising a fitted bodyof a cap made of a rubber elastic material and a body made of a rubberelastic material is characterized in that at least the cap or the bodyexpands or contracts in accordance with volumetric expansion orvolumetric contraction of an article received in the container, and thearticle can be taken out without any is leakage of the article into theoutside in a state where the article is restored to an original shape.That is, sealing of the packaging container of the invention is securedas a container by making both of the cap and the body of rubber elasticmaterials and, by using the nature of the elastic materials, a functionis exhibited to cool and solidify the received article a part or allparts of which melt to expand, and to restore its original shape.

In the packaging container, especially to deal with a large volumetricchange, a part of the body or the cap preferably comprises a thin-filmskin which easily responds volumetric expansion of the article. The skinis preferably disposed in a bottom of the body and/or the cap, and theother portion of the body comprising the skin and/or the other portionof the cap comprising the skin is preferably formed into a roughly thickcylindrical shape.

A cord-like projection is disposed in a circumferential direction of thecylindrical portion near the skin of the roughly cylindrical portion ofthe body or the cap.

A flange jumping out in an outer circumferential direction more than anopen end is formed near the open end of the roughly cylindrical portionof the body or the cap. The flange preferably comprises a cut or anotch.

Further, according to the invention, the cap and the body are preferablyfitted together through a fitting concave and a fitting convex slightlylarger than the concave.

The fitted body of the cap and the body preferably comprises a taperswollen from an insertion end side in the outer circumferentialdirection.

One of the cap and the body can be a pedestal which comprises one or aplurality of fitting concaves to fit the opposite body or cap.

The packaging container of the invention is suitably used for asuppository. In the case of the packaging container used for thesuppository, the open end of the body or the cap is preferablypositioned near a maximum diameter position of suppository received inthe body or the cap.

The packaging container is preferably made of silicon rubber inconsideration of hygiene.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a packaging container according toa first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a used state of thepackaging container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an exploded state of the packagingcontainer;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a used state of apackaging container according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an exploded state of the packagingcontainer of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an exploded state of a packagingcontainer according to yet another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a packaging container according toyet another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing an exploded state of the packagingcontainer of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a body of the packaging container of FIG. 7seen from an open end;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a body of a packaging container seen from anopen end according to yet another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a body of a packaging container cut alonga horizontal surface according to yet another embodiment of theinvention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Next, the present invention will be described in detail with referenceto the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing apackaging container 1 according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a used stateof the packaging container 1; and FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing anexploded state of the packaging container 1.

The packaging container 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a container for asuppository, and such containers can be carried one by one. Thepackaging container 1 comprises a body 10 which receives a body portionof a suppository 2, and a cap 20 which fits the body 10. In FIGS. 1 to3, the cap 20 is drawn to cap the body 10 from above. Each of the cap 20and the body 10 is made of a rubber elastic material. Rubber elasticitymeans a large elastic deformation behavior observed in the case of ahigh molecular material of a rubber state, and the rubber elasticmaterial means a material which exhibits such an elastic deformationbehavior. As rubber elastic materials used in the invention, forexample, in addition to natural rubber and silicon rubber, there can becited thermosetting types such as styrene-butadiene rubber, chloroprenerubber, urethane rubber, n-butyl rubber, chlorinated butyl rubber,fluorine-containing rubber, and polybutadiene rubber, and thermoplasticelastomer such as styrene elastomer (TPS), olefin elastomer (TPO), vinylchloride elastomer (TPVC), urethane elastomer (TPU), and polyesterelastomer (TPEE). Specifically, the material is selected from thesetypes in accordance with an article to be received. From the standpointof hygiene and takeout from the container, the silicon rubber issuitably used for the container for the suppository. Among others, arubber elastic material having rubber hardness of 25 to 95° (JIS K-6253,International Rubber Hardness by a hardness testing method of vulcanizedrubber and thermoplastic rubber) is especially preferable. The cap 20and the body 10 are formed by a general molding method in which thereceived article is a prototype.

The packaging container 1 of the invention is characterized in that atleast one of the body 10 and the cap 20 expands or contracts inaccordance with volumetric expansion or volumetric contraction of thesuppository 2 (article) received in the packaging container 1, and thesuppository 2 can be taken out without leakage of the melted article tothe outside in a state where the article is restored to an originalshape. That is, the packaging container 1 of the invention isconstituted in such a manner that even when the suppository 2 receivedtherein reversibly expands or contracts and melts to increase itsinternal volume, no damage or liquid leakage occurs and, when theinternal volume contracts due to cooling and solidifying, the article isrestored to its original shape. In other words, the packaging container1 of the invention is formed such that an internal shape thereof isalmost similar to that of the suppository at a proper temperature, andthe container received article (suppository 2) and the inside of thecontainer are almost bonded together. Then, even when the article ismelted once by a temperature increase and then cooled to be solidifiedat a proper temperature, the suppository 2 and the packaging container 1are almost bonded together as in the case of the receiving time torestore the original shape of the suppository 2. Besides, volumetricexpansion by the melting of the suppository 2 due to the temperatureincrease is accompanied by expansion of the packaging container 1itself. However, no liquid leakage occurs from the fitting portions 13,22 of the body 10 and the cap 20. Thus, according to the invention, thevolume increased when the suppository 2 melts is absorbed by theexpansion of the body 10 and/or the cap 20, and the liquid leakagethrough the fitting portions 13, 22 is prevented by a fitting concaveand a fitting convex 23, 14 of the cap 20 and the body 10.

The packaging container 1 shown in each drawing employs a constitutionthat the body 10 mainly expands to absorb the volume increase of thearticle. A constitution may also be employed in which the body 10 andthe cap 20 are set equal in rubber hardness and thickness, the cap 20also expands itself, and the volume increase of the article is absorbedby both of the body 10 and the cap 20. However, if both of the body 10and the cap 20 expand, liquid leakage from the fitting portions 13, 22thereof may occur. Therefore, it is preferred to realize a structure oflittle expansion by using the cap 20 which is equal to, or larger inrubber hardness, and/or equal to, or larger in thickness than the body10. Incidentally, in the explanation, one to cover is the cap 20, andone to be covered is the body 10. However, one to cover may be the body10, and one to be covered may be the cap 20.

The restoration to the original shape according to the invention doesnot strictly mean physical restoration of an original shape but simplymeans practical or product-value restoration of an original shape. Thatis, in an actual product, very small concaves and convexes may exist onthe surface due to a manufacturing process or so-called flashes may begenerated during product manufacturing. According to the invention,however, there will be no problem even if such very small concaves andconvexes or flashes on the product surface cannot be reproduced. Thevery small concaves and convexes or flashes are generated in themanufacturing process of the article, and lost when the article melts.Very small concaves and convexes formed at the time of resolidificationmay be a problem of manufacturing accuracy (accuracy of container innersurface) of the packaging container 1. Restoration accuracy of such alevel is permitted as a restoration error. In other words, the inventiondoes not guarantee the original accuracy of the conventionalmanufacturing process. In this regard, in the case of the packagingcontainer made of hard plastic, the internal volume thereof is madelarger than the article in consideration of the expansion of thearticle, and there is almost no restoration to the original shape evenat the time of resolidification.

The proper temperature in the above explanation is decided by a relationwith an article to be received, and it means a temperature range in ageneral living environment, a manufacturing environment, and a storageenvironment, specifically a range of approximately 0 to 30° C., atemperature range in which the article can keep its given shape within anormally intended use temperature range. However, within the intendeduse temperature range, strictness that the article must always have agiven shape at any temperatures is unnecessary. The article only needsto have a given shape approximately within the temperature range. Theproper temperature is used in meaning that the shape of the articleitself is changed when the temperature range is exceeded. For example,the suppository 2 is used at a room temperature, approximately 0 to 30°C. which is a general living environment, and it must have a given shapeat the room temperature. However, the suppository or the like becomessoft when this temperature range is exceeded, and completely melts,e.g., near 40° C. over a body temperature. Thus, a temperature zonewhich enables keeping of a given shape is referred to as a propertemperature, which varies from article to article. In the above exampleof the suppository, the room temperature is a proper temperature.However, as a specific temperature, it is not necessary to discriminate0 to 30° C. from 1 to 31° C., but it is enough to consider both to beproper temperatures for the suppository according to the invention. Evenat the room temperature, depending on a composition, there may be asuppository 2 which melts at a temperature near 30° C. lower than thebody temperature to lose a given shape. A proper temperature for such asuppository 2 means not a room temperature but a low temperature beforethe start of the melting.

To repeat, the invention is suitably used for the article which has agiven shape within the intended use environment, cannot keep the shapewhen this range is exceeded (irrespective of upper and lower limits),and for example softened or melted to change its shape and whose shapeat the time of use is important. Especially, in the case of melting orexpanding, the invention is suitably used for an article whose volumeincrease rate per temperature is large. In the case of the abovesuppository 2, a given shape is kept until about 35° C. However, whenthe suppository starts to melt at 35 to 37° C. and completely melts near40° C., the volume increases by about 1.1 to 1.2 as described above.Thus, the packaging container 1 of the invention is suitably used forthe article which is a solid in the normal use and storage states, andmelts to change its shape outside the proper temperature, and toincrease the volume. By applying the container to such an article, evenwhen the article is placed at storage conditions outside the propertemperature to lose its shape, the original shape can be restored byreturning the temperature without losing its shape. Thus, at the propertemperature, the article can always be taken out in the shape of thepackaging time (at the time of filling the container), and used in aproper shape.

The body 10 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a roughly cylindrical and slightlythick sidewall 11, and a thin-film skin 12 which becomes a bottom of thebody 10. A fitting portion 13 is disposed in an open end of the body 10.The packaging container 1 absorbs the volumetric expansion of thearticle by the body 10 as described above. In the body 10, the skin 12mainly expands, and the volumetric expansion is absorbed by thisportion. Needless to say, the bottom of the body 10 may be set equal inthickness to the sidewall 11, the entire body 10 may be uniformly madethick, and the entire portion thereof may expand. In such a case,however, the expansion of the article increases a risk of damaging thebody 10, and liquid may leak from the fitting portions 22, 13 of bothdepending on rubber hardness of the cap 20 and the body 10. The slightlythick formation of the sidewall 11 facilitates pushing-out of thesuppository 2 which is a received article. Incidentally, a thickness ofthe skin 12 is approximately 0.03 to 0.3 mm, preferably 0.1 to 0.15 mm,and a thickness of the sidewall 11 is approximately 0.4 to 2 mm,preferably 1.0 to 1.5 mm. However, these ranges are in no waylimitative.

The skin 12 is roughly formed into a mountain shape when it is seen fromthe side face, which matches the shape of the suppository 2 to bereceived. However, the shape is not limited to such and, for example, itmay be semispherical.

The body 10 is manufactured so that the open end of the body 10 will bealmost positioned in a maximum diameter position of the receivedsuppository 2. That is, the open end of the body 10 is positioned in amost swollen place of the suppository 2. The body 10 is manufactured tobe a size so that a so-called head of the suppository 2 can be exposedwhen the cap 20 is removed from the body 10. Most of suppositories arespindle-shaped or circular conic. Accordingly, by positioning the openend near the maximum diameter, the cap 20 can be surely removed in astate in which the suppository 2 is received in the body 10 withoutleaving the suppository 2 in the cap 20 side. Since a structure isemployed in which an inner diameter of the body 10 is enlarged towardthe open end of the body 10, the suppository 2 is easily pushed out byholding the portion near the bottom of the body 10 by fingers. Thus, byapplying the head of the suppository 2 to the anus or the like withouttaking out the suppository 2 from the body 10, then the suppository 2 iseasily inserted into the anus only by pushing out the suppository 2 fromthe body 10. Therefore, in contrast to the conventional packaging form,the process of the takeout of the article from the packaging container 1to insertion can be carried out without directly touching thesuppository 2 by fingers. Moreover, since the cap 20 and the body 10 arefitted together in this position, a stronger fit state can be obtained.Needless to say, the suppository 2 can be taken out by pinching the body10 even without positioning the open end in the maximum diameterposition. A shape is not limited to a spindle shape, and the inventioncan be applied to a linear suppository such as a urethral suppository.In such a case, the open-end position of the body 10 is set so that aportion to be received in the cap 20 is not large.

In an outer peripheral portion of the open end of the body 10, a fittingconvex 14 is formed to constitute the fitting portion 13 of the body 10side. The fitting convex 14 prevents liquid leakage between itself and afitting concave 23 of the cap 20, and constitutes a sealing structurewhich uses rubber elasticity of the body 10 and the cap 20. The fittingconvex 14 is formed slightly larger than the fitting concave 23, andsurely prevents liquid leakage caused by expansion of the body 10 or thecap 20. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the fitting convex 14 comprisesa flange 14a disposed near the open end of the sidewall of the body 10,and an R portion 14 b projected from a tip of the flange 14 a to aclosed end side of the body 10.

The cap 20 shown in FIG. 1 is roughly formed into a hat shape. Theentire cap 20 is formed thick, and it has almost no expansioncharacteristics. There is no limitation on an appearance shape of thecap 20 as in the case of the body 10, but its shape is decided inconsideration of design or portability. The cap 20 comprises a receivingconcave 21 almost bonded to the head of the suppository 2 exposed fromthe body 10. In an inner surface of the cap side more than the receivingconcave 21, a groove-shaped fitting concave 23 is disposed to fit thefitting convex 14 of the body 10, constituting a fitting portion 22 ofthe cap 20 side. The body 10 is fitted to the cap 20 to obtain a fittedbody, constituting a sealed space in the packaging container which isalmost bonded to receive the suppository 2.

When the suppository 2 is packaged in such a packaging container 1, evenif the suppository 2 melts to change its shape as a result of being leftunder bad storage conditions such as at a high temperature, e.g., 40° C.or higher, the suppository 2 is restored to the original shape byreturning the temperature to a room temperature. The packaging container1 is made of a rubber elastic material. Thus, even when it is carried ina bag or the like, the packaging container 1 is not broken up differentfrom the case of packaging in a hard plastic container, a soft feelingis provided when it is touched by hand, and thus the container 1 is veryconvenient for carrying. Further, even when the suppository melts in thebag or the like, the article does not leak to stain the inside thereof.Besides, while the cap 20 is removed and the suppository 2 is receivedin the body 10, the suppository can be inserted without directlytouching it by fingers. Apparently, the packaging container 1 of theinvention has many advantages. By using the packaging container 1, it ispossible to provide a very hygienic and highly convenient suppositoryproduct.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a used state of apackaging container 1 according to another embodiment of the presentinvention, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an exploded state ofthe packaging state. A cap 20 of the packaging container 1 is formedinto a so-called pedestal shape, and comprises a plurality of fittingconcaves 23, five fitting concaves 23 as shown. For the cap 20, aplurality of bodies 10 can be fitted to one cap 20, and a plurality ofsuppositories 2 can be supplied by one product form (package). Forexample, the cap 20 is mounted on a desk, and holds the body 10substantially in a vertically erected state. According to theembodiment, the bodies 10 are removed one by one from the cap 20 to beused.

As shown in FIG. 5, a fitting portion 13 of the body 10 comprises ataper swollen from an insertion end side in an outer circumferentialdirection, i.e., a taper 15 swollen from an open end of the body 10toward a closed end in the outer circumferential direction, and it isformed as a fitting convex 14 roughly trapezoidal or triangular insection. The insertion end side means the open-end side of the body 10in which the fitting convex 14 is formed. In a fitting concave 23, thebody is swollen toward the insertion end side (open end side of the cap20) in the outer circumferential direction. Thus, the fitting portion 13of the body 10 side is easily inserted into a fitting portion 22(fitting concave 23) of the cap 20 side. Accordingly, automatic loadingby a machine is facilitated without adversely affecting prevention ofliquid leakage. Near the fitting portion 13 shown in FIG. 5, in asidewall 11 on the closed end side more than the fitting portion 13, agrip 16 is formed to be thicker than the other sidewall 11. This grip 16is used for chucking in the case of automatic loading by the machine.The thick formation thereof enables stable holding and inserting.

Therefore, by forming a plurality of fitting concaves 23 (receivingconcaves 21) for one cap 20, a plurality of suppositories 2 can besupplied all at once by one packaging form. Besides, the cap 20 becomesrelatively larger compared with the cap 20 for each loading of the firstembodiment to be handled more easily. Additionally, since removal fromthe cap 20 is easy, operability is greatly improved. Furthermore, sincethe suppository 10 can be brought to an application position such as ananus in the state of being inserted in the body 10 after the body 10 isremoved from the cap 20, it is very hygienic as in the previous case.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an exploded state of a packagingcontainer 1 according to yet another embodiment of the presentinvention. According to the invention, a fitting portion 13 of a body 10and a fitting portion 22 of a cap 20 are only required to surely preventliquid leakage when an internal volume expands, especially when the body10 expands, and thus there is no limitation on a constitution. In thepackaging container 1 shown in FIG. 6, the fitting portion 13 of thebody 10 side comprises a taper 15 swollen from an open end of the body10 to a closed end in an outer circumferential direction, and a fittingconvex 14 roughly semicircular in section is disposed on a closed endside of the taper 15. A thick grip 16 is formed on a closed end side ofthe fitting convex 14. By such a constitution of the fitting portion 13,the object of the invention can be achieved.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a packaging container according to yetanother embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a sectional viewshowing an exploded state of the packaging container, and FIG. 9 is aplan view of a body 10 of the packaging container 1 seen from an openend. This body 10 comprises a roughly cylindrical and slightly thicksidewall 11, a flange 18 jumping out in an outer circumferentialdirection more than the open end, and cord-like projections 17 arrangedin a circumferential direction of the sidewall 11. On the other hand, acap 20 is formed to be uniformly thick as a whole, and a portion arounda fitting portion 22 is formed to jump out by an amount equivalent to aformed fitting concave 23.

The flange 18 is disposed near the open end of the sidewall 11, andmainly designed to prevent erroneous insertion of the body 10 into ananus or a vagina at the time of inserting a suppository. As long as thisobject can be achieved, there is no particular limitation on shapes. Forexample, a shape similar to a guard used for a sword, a shape similar toa visor of a cap, or a shape jumping out in a cord shape may beemployed. Preferably, the shape jumping out in the outer circumferentialdirection more than the fitting portion 13 of the body 10 is disposed.Additionally, the flange 18 only needs to be disposed partially in thecircumferential direction of the shown sidewall 11, and may be disposedall around the sidewall 11 as described later. The flange 18 is formedintegrally with the body 10.

The shown flange 18 comprises a notch 19. The notch 19 tears the flange18 left and right, and subsequently triggers tearing of the sidewall 11of the body 10. When the suppository 2 received in the packagingcontainer 1 melts and is solidified again, the suppository 2 is bondedto the body 10, and the suppository 2 may not be taken out from the body10 by pinching the body 10 to push out the same. This packagingcontainer 1 enables the takeout of the suppository 2 by tearing the body10 in such a case.

As long as the notch 19 tears the flange 18 left and right to triggertearing of the body 10, there is no limitation on a shape. A shape maynot be a notch 19 but a simple linear cut, or a composite shape having alinear cut directed from an intersection of the notch 19 to the sidewall11 may be employed. However, the sidewall-tip of the notch 19 or thesidewall-tip of the cut must not reach the sidewall 11. It is because ifthe sidewall-tips reach the sidewall 11, strength of the sidewall 11 isreduced to increase a risk of rupture from this portion when thereceived suppository 2 melts.

The flange 18 shown in FIG. 10 comprises a brim 18 a of a cap shown inFIG. 9, and a sword guard 18 b almost all around the sidewall 11 exceptfor the brim 18 a. The brim 18 a of the cap has a notch 19. In theflange 18, the guard 18 b almost all around the sidewall 11 functions asa holding (fixing) member of a loading device used at the time ofloading and packaging the suppository 2 and enables sure automaticloading. Only for the purpose of triggering tearing of the sidewall 11of the body 10, the partially disposed flange 18 shown in FIG. 9 is morepreferable than the flange 18 all around the sidewall 11. It is becausethe flange 18 can be pinched more easily, and torn left and right moreeasily. Thus, the sword guard 18 b only may be cut off from the sidewall11 after the suppository 2 is loaded. When the brim 18 a and the swordguard 18 b almost all around the sidewall 11 are combined together asshown in FIG. 10, the sword guard 18 b is preferably caused to jump outin an outer circumferential direction more than the brim 18 a. It isbecause griping and tearing are easier.

Thus, the flange 18 having the notch 19 not only serves to preventerroneous insertion of the body 10 but also facilitates insertion of thesuppository 2 by tearing the body 10. Besides, since the flange 18 isdisposed near the open end of the sidewall 11, when the body 10 is torn,a portion near the open end of the sidewall 11 is torn while a portionnear the skin 12 is not torn to be left, and the suppository 2 can beinserted without direct touching by fingers as in the previous case. Theflange 18 of the sword guard shape disposed almost all around thesidewall 11 functions as a holding portion by mechanical loading.

Two cord-like projections 17 are disposed all around the sidewall 11near the skin 12 of the sidewall 11. The cord-like projection 17functions as a skid when the suppository 2 is pushed out by the fingers.That is, because of the presence of the cord-like projection 17, thesuppository 2 can be pushed out without slipping-off of the body 10through the pinching fingers. Moreover, since the two cord-likeprojections 17 are arranged, a sure skidding function is exhibited.

An arranging place of the cord-like projection 17 is near the skin 12,preferably a position in which the suppository 2 is most easily pushedout. More specifically, for example, if a roughly mountain-shaped skin12 is disposed, the cord-like projection is arranged on an open-end sideslightly more than a bottom of the skin 12 (position which is a boundarybetween the skin 12 and the sidewall 11 and nearest the open end). Bydisposing the cord-like projection in this position, the suppository 2can be pushed out by a small force. Incidentally, this position variesdepending on a shape or the like of an article.

Accordingly, as long as the object can be achieved, a thickness, thenumber, and intervals of cord-like projections are not a problem, andthe cord-like projection needs not always be disposed all around. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 11, the cord-like projection may be disposedin a part of the sidewall 11. In such a case, it is advisable to disposethe cord-like projection 17 in a position to be always pinching by twofingers. In the above example, more preferably, the cord-like projectionis disposed in a position in which the bottom of the skin 12 is nearestthe open end. Such a position becomes an eyemark to indicate a positionof pinching the cord-like projection 17, whereby usability of thepackaging container 1 is improved more.

The cord-like projection 17 is not necessarily connected as a line. Dotsmay be linearly arrayed, or a broken line in which short lines arelinearly arrayed may be employed. Incidentally, the lines, the dots, andthe short lines are not planar lines but have swells. The cord-likeprojection 17 may be formed roughly semicircular or rectangular insection preferably.

The embodiment has been described mainly by way of the suppository 2 asan article to be packaged. However, the packaging container 1 of theinvention can be applied to various articles other than the suppository2, and suitably used for an article which has a given shape at a giventemperature (proper temperature), and partially or entirely melts by atemperature change to increase a volume, or does not melt but increasesthe volume. For example, the container can be applied to a foodstuffsuch as chocolate. The chocolate has a composition similar to that ofthe suppository 2, and keeps a given shape at a normal temperature.However, the chocolate melts to lose its shape at a higher temperature,and is solidified in the broken shape upon a return to the normaltemperature. On the other hand, when the packaging container 1 of theinvention is used, even if the chocolate melts therein, the chocolatecan be taken out in a shape before the melting (shape at a receivingtime) by cooling and solidifying the packaging container 1 withoutopening it. Moreover, the container can be applied to articles such ascosmetics.

The packaging container 1 of the invention needs to expand in accordancewith expansion of an article therein, and be restored to an originalshape in accordance with contraction. When the received articlecontracts from the original shape, it is not always necessary for thepackaging container 1 to accordingly contract. That is, in the packagingcontainer 1 of the invention, the receiving space thereof only needshave a given shape in a normal state of the article, and there will beno problem even if a form change of the article causes a reduction in avolume occupied by the article and forms an aperture in the container.For example, ice cream or ice causes a volume reduction when it melts.However, by receiving such an article, the packaging container 1 doesnot contract itself, but an aperture is formed therein. Needless to say,the packaging container 1 may contract to be deformed. However, if thepackaging container 1 is cooled together with the article after melting,the article is solidified again therein to return to its original shape.It is because at the time of receiving the article in the packagingcontainer 1, the article is received to be bonded to an inner surfacethereof. Thus, the packaging container 1 of the invention can be used asa container for an article which melts to reduce a volume. Incidentally,in this case, packaging is carried out under conditions which enable theice cream or ice to keep a given shape.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments. As long as theobject of the invention can be achieved, there is no limitation on anappearance shape of the packaging container 1, a shape of the article orthe like. For example, the body 10 and the cap 20 can both beconstituted to expand/contract. In this case, portions around thefitting portion 13 of the body 10 and the fitting portion 22 of the cap20 may be formed thick to prevent liquid leakage therefrom.

As described above, the packaging container of the invention comprisesthe fitted body of the cap made of the rubber elastic material and thebody made of the rubber elastic material, at least the cap or the bodyexpands or contracts in accordance with volumetric expansion orvolumetric contraction of the article received in the container, and thearticle can be taken out without any leakage of the article into theoutside in a state where the article is restored to an original shape.Accordingly, even when the article similar to the suppository is placedat a higher temperature than a proper temperature, and melts to lose itsshape, the suppository as the received article is restored to itsoriginal shape by cooling the container with the article. As a result,within a range in which the article is not altered, the article neverbecomes unusable even if it melts to lose its shape, but the article canalways be used in a proper shape. Storage conditions can be softenedfrom cold place storage to room temperature storage, contributing to areduction in storage costs and suppressing defects caused by bad storageconditions. The container is made of the rubber elastic material, andthus its portability can be improved compared with the conventional hardplastic container.

In the case of using the suppository, by positioning the open end of thebody (cap) near the maximum diameter position of the suppositoryreceived therein, the cap and the body are fitted together in astrongest place to surely prevent liquid leakage when melting occurs.Moreover, in the case of a spindle-shaped suppository, pushing-out fromthe body can be facilitated, further improving handling.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the thin-film skin disposed ina part of the body or the cap, e.g., in the bottom thereof, toexpand/contract absorbs the expansion of the article, whereby the objectof the invention can be achieved without any loosening of the fittingbetween the cap and the body. If the other portion of the body (cap)comprising the skin is formed into a roughly cylindrical thick shape,the cap (body) can be removed in a state in which the article isreceived in the body (cap), and the article can be pushed out bypinching it from the cap (body). Accordingly, when the container is usedfor a suppository, the suppository can be inserted into an appliedlocation without directly touching it by fingers, whereby a veryhygienic and highly convenient suppository product can be provided.

The cord-like projection disposed in the circumferential direction nearthe skin of the roughly cylindrical potion of the body or the capexhibits the skidding function from the fingers, and preventspulling-off of the body or the cap through the fingers when the articleis pushed out. Additionally, the cord-like projection becomes an eyemarkof a pinching pushing out position, improving usability more.

Further, the flange jumping out in the outer circumferential directionmore than the open end integrally formed near the open end of theroughly cylindrical portion of the body or the cap functions as, e.g.,an erroneous insertion preventing member to the anus or the like whenthe suppository is used, whereby a product with consideration given tosafety is provided.

The cut or the notch formed in the flange triggers tearing of theroughly cylindrical body or cap. Thus, the article can be taken out bytearing the body or the cap from the cut or the like. Especially, thisbecomes effective means when resolidification causes bonding of thearticle to the container. Moreover, since the flange is formed near theopen end of the cap or the body, the portion gripped by the fingers isleft without being torn, and the suppository can be inserted into theanus or the like without dirtying the fingers.

If the cap and the body are fitted together by a fitting concave and afitting convex slightly larger than the concave, it is possible tosurely prevent liquid leakage.

Further, the taper swollen from the insertion end side disposed in thefitted body of the cap and the body in the outer circumferentialdirection facilitates insertion into the opposite side body or cap,whereby automatic packaging by a machine can be carried out.

If one of the cap and the body is formed into a pedestal shape whichcomprises one or a plurality of fitting concaves to fit the oppositebody or cap, the cap or the body is enlarged to improve handling. Inassociation, a plurality of suppositories are provided by one packagingform or one package.

As apparent from the foregoing, according to the invention, it ispossible to not only soften storage conditions of an article such as asuppository which easily melts near a room temperature, especially anarticle whose physical shape is particularly necessary, but also to takeout the article without directly touching it. The packaging container ofthe invention is especially suitable for a suppository, and provides asuppository product excellent in hygiene and handling.

1. A packaging container comprising a fitted body of a cap made of arubber elastic material and a body made of a rubber elastic material,characterized in that at least the cap or the body expands or contractsin accordance with volumetric expansion or volumetric contraction of anarticle received in the container, and the article is capable of beingtaken out without any leakage of the article into the outside in a statewhere the article is restored to an original shape.
 2. The packagingcontainer according to claim 1, characterized in that a part of the bodyor the cap comprises a thin-film skin.
 3. The packaging containeraccording to claim 2, characterized in that the skin is disposed in abottom of the body and/or the cap, and the other portion of the bodycomprising the skin and/or the other portion of the cap comprising theskin is formed into a roughly thick cylindrical shape.
 4. The packagingcontainer according to claim 3, characterized in that a cord-likeprojection is disposed in a circumferential direction of the cylindricalportion near the skin of the roughly cylindrical portion of the body orthe cap.
 5. The packaging container according to claim 3, characterizedin that a flange jumping out in an outer circumferential direction morethan an open end is integrally formed near the open end of the roughlycylindrical portion of the body or the cap.
 6. The packaging containeraccording to claim 5, characterized in that the flange comprises a cutor a notch.
 7. The packaging container according to claim 1,characterized in that the cap and the body are fitted together through afitting concave and a fitting convex slightly larger than the concave.8. The packaging container according to claim 7, characterized in thatthe fitted body of the cap and the body comprises a taper swollen froman insertion end side in the outer circumferential direction.
 9. Thepackaging container according to claim 1, characterized in that one ofthe cap and the body is a pedestal which comprises one or a plurality offitting concaves to fit the opposite body or cap.
 10. The packagingcontainer according to claim 1, characterized in that the packagingcontainer is for a suppository.
 11. The packaging container according toclaim 10, characterized in that the open end of the body is positionednear a maximum diameter position of a suppository received in the body,or the open end of the cap is positioned near the maximum diameterposition of a suppository received in the cap.
 12. The packagingcontainer according to claim 1, characterized in that the rubber elasticmaterial is silicon rubber.